The Fiery Heart - Review

The Fiery Heart (Bloodlines #4)

By: Richelle Mead

Published: November 19, 2013 by Razorbill

420 pages

Source: Personal library

(Goodreads /Amazon)

Summary:

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives.

In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure — and re-education — looms larger than ever.

Pulses will race throughout this smoldering fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe.

MY REVIEW:
My final thoughts after finishing this book was that the second half of the book was way more enjoyable than the first half. Each book in this series always seems to have a slow roll in the beginning until speed finally starts to pick up, "when the plot thickens" as they say, and then the ball comes crashing down (in a good way) in the end making for a great cliffhanger ending. Personally I would like for the books to pick up speed quicker than this one did. Part of why I feel it's such a slow beginning is because the first 30+ pages of the book is ALWAYS a recap of what has gone on, and where the characters find themselves and why. There is ALWAYS the recap definitions of who the Moroi, Dhampirs and Alchemists are. ENOUGH WITH THE RECAPS ALREADY!!! We first learn of each of these way back in Vampire Academy, book one. That series had 6 books in it. This is Bloodlines #4 for crying out loud! So if you read them in order this is the 10th book and you are pretty darn clear on what these races of people are! I dare say very few people are going to start reading this far into the series without having read the previous books and therefore we all know and can recite who each of these races of people are. For the odd person that may like picking up in the middle of a series - you are missing out on WAY too much, so STOP and go back to the beginning - if not the beginning of VA, than at least the beginning of Bloodlines. This is my biggest irritation and frustration with these books! Seriously - it makes me want to ram my head into a wall, and put the book down.

Now that my big frustration is out of the way...

This book is told from alternating POV's of Sydney and Adrian. Their story continues with Sydney trying to help the outlaw Alchemists come up with a way to stop the mind controlling tattoo ink used by the Alchemists, who are staunchly opposed to any personal dealings with vampires or dhampirs. Business only for the greater good is their motto. Being that Sydney's own feelings have changed drastically towards the Moroi and Dhampir she can no longer go along with and support the full cause of the Alchemists. Throw in the added twist of her younger sister, Zoe, now living with her and watching her, eagerly wanting to be the kind of Alchemist she thinks Sydney is, has its own challenges.

Adrian still struggles with the negative effects of using spirit, but has made a promise to not self medicate with massive amounts of alcohol or cigarettes. And FINALLY his taboo relationship becomes what fans have been eagerly waiting for. YES!!

In the grand scheme of the events in the story it doesn't feel like much progress is made in what each of the characters are facing till the very end. But the ending is well worth what it takes to get there.

Don't misunderstand my frustration to think I would just drop this series. Not gonna happen! TEAM ADRIAN over here (well now that he isn't competing with Dimitri of course)! I'm seeing these guys through to the end of their journey. As soon as I read the last page I went and bought my copy of Silver Shadows. So if you haven't yet read it, Adrian is always worth your time!

Favorite Quotes:
If she just wanted to come home at night to eye candy with good hair, I could probably be that reasonably well.

Was that how everyone in love felt? Did they all cling tightly to their beloved and wake up terrified in the middle of the night, afraid of being alone? Was that an inevitable way of life when you loved so deeply?

Final Rating - 4 stars